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Quakes left with little room for error
2009 record and finish: 7-14-9 (eighth place in Western Conference)
Key additions: F Eduardo, M/F Joey Gjertsen, D Ike Opara (unavailable until May), M Brad Ring, M Javier Robles, D Justin Morrow, D/M Steve Beitashour
Key losses: M Darren Huckerby, M Shea Salinas, D Mike Zaher
Key questions facing this team:
1. Has San Jose's front office done enough to revamp the team?
When a team finishes in last place in the Western Conference, as San Jose did last season, it's usually a signal to conduct a complete overhaul. And although the Quakes' offseason moves appear to fall short of that, it should be pointed out that the timeline for the current rebuilding project actually began last summer. It was then that midfielders Andre Luiz and Ramon Sanchez were brought in, along with forward Cornell Glen. The back line was also revamped, with Brandon McDonald emerging as a solid contributor in the center of the defense.
That left general manager John Doyle and head coach Frank Yallop needing to fill only a few spots over the winter. And while the duo appears to have done well in landing former FC Basel striker Eduardo, ex-Velez Sarsfield midfielder Javier Robles and former Montreal Impact midfielder Joey Gjertsen, there hasn't been a big-name signing to make fans sit up and take notice. It leaves the impression that more work still needs to be done, though time will tell if that is indeed the case.
2. Can the midfield provide enough service for the front line?
With Eduardo complementing a corps of forwards that includes Glen, Ryan Johnson and Arturo Alvarez, the Quakes appear to have a solid group capable of testing opposing defenses in a variety of ways. The hard part, however, will be getting them the ball, especially from wide positions. Darren Huckerby has retired and Shea Salinas was claimed in the expansion draft, leaving Bobby Convey and Gjertsen to pick up the slack.
Convey struggled mightily last season upon his return to MLS, notching just a goal and two assists. Gjertsen is a tricky, pacy player capable of wreaking havoc on the wing, and although he did earn MVP honors with USL-1 side Vancouver in 2007, his last two seasons with Montreal saw a drop-off in his production.
Robles is versatile enough to see time out wide, as well, and the hope is that this trio will consistently feed the forward line. Otherwise, opponents will feel free to squeeze the space of central players like Andre Luiz and Sanchez, forcing the strikers to go hungry.
3. Can the Quakes shake last year's injury bug?
Although San Jose was a side with some clear flaws last season, the slim playoff hopes it had were ruthlessly crushed by a wave of injuries that even the deepest squad would have had difficulty coping with. Huckerby's hip injury made him a shadow of his electrifying self and hastened his retirement, while the absence of defender Jason Hernandez (due to a variety of injuries) was a prime reason for San Jose's conceding a league-worst 50 goals. While Glen and Andre Luiz both impressed after they arrived, they also both sustained knee injuries that cut short their seasons.
In a bid to reverse this trend, the team embarked on a revamped fitness program, yet the 2010 preseason has already yielded its share of injuries so far. Eduardo has been slowed by a hip strain, while McDonald injured his calf during camp with the U.S. national team in January. And Andre Luiz underwent knee surgery on March 2 to repair a torn meniscus. All three have returned to training, but after last year's experience, San Jose's staff will be keeping their fingers crossed that a repeat can be avoided.
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Biggest X factor: Bobby Convey
There were few players in MLS who were as big a disappointment last year as Convey. The former D.C. United attacker was brought in to orchestrate the Quakes' offense from the center of midfield, but that experiment was quickly abandoned, as Convey was unable to make an impact. A gypsy-like tour of positions followed, with Convey seeing time at forward and left back before finally settling into the left midfield spot vacated by Huckerby. It was there that Convey seemed most comfortable, and some solid (but by no means scintillating) performances followed.
This season, the Quakes will once again need Convey to step up and provide steady service to the forwards. The midfielder is now settled and has enjoyed a solid preseason, by all accounts. But finding consistency has always been a struggle for Convey, and he'll need to shed that tendency if the Quakes are to have success.
Breakout player to watch: Javier Robles
With plenty of questions surrounding the midfield, Robles appears poised to make a significant contribution, whether it's in the middle or out on the flank. The Argentinean has the pace to test opposing defenses out wide and the toughness to excel in the middle. Where he ends up likely will depend on Andre Luiz's recovery. If the Brazilian is healthy enough to start the season, Robles will probably line up on the wing. Otherwise, a stint in the middle looks likely.
Gjertsen is also a candidate to make an impact, with his attention to detail on defense giving Yallop another reason to give him extended minutes.
Outlook:
Without question, the Quakes will be better. The question of course is: How much better? Yallop has often referred to the team's improved play toward the end of last season as evidence that a spot in the playoffs is attainable. Yet closer inspection reveals that San Jose went 4-4-4 in its last 12 games, a run that translates to 40 points over the course of an entire season. Although that was enough to get MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake into the postseason, Colorado was left on the outside looking in with exactly the same point total, leading one to conclude that the Quakes are a side with scant margin for error.
On the plus side, the team is deeper up the middle than it was a year ago. Joe Cannon returns for another season in goal, and the central defensive corps of Hernandez, McDonald, Bobby Burling and rookie Ike Opara should give San Jose's goalkeeper significantly more protection than he had last year. Hernandez, in particular, has looked sharp during the preseason and appears to have recovered from the ankle surgery he underwent late last season.
The presence of Andre Luiz, Sanchez and Robles should strengthen the team's spine, as well, especially if Luiz can recover quickly from his surgery. Brad Ring, who missed all of last season because of a hip injury, is also a candidate to earn minutes.
At the fullback position, the Quakes have some questions once you get past starters Ramiro Corrales and Chris Leitch. At present, San Jose has only rookies Justin Morrow and Steve Beitashour for cover. Both Burling and Convey can fill in out wide in a pinch, but that is far from optimal.
Add it all up, and a mid-table finish is definitely within San Jose's reach. How the Quakes can secure a playoff spot is tougher to determine, though, with the performance of the midfield holding the key to San Jose's postseason aspirations.
Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He is the author of "Soccer's Most Wanted II: The Top 10 Book of More Glorious Goals, Superb Saves and Fantastic Free-Kicks." He also writes for Centerlinesoccer.com and can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.
